Kane Owen of Penybont celebrates with Kieran Howard. (Lewis Mitchell/YCPD)
Penybont defender Kane Owen has spoken of his “dream” to become a professional footballer, as he prepares for the start of the new JD Cymru Premier season on Friday.
The 24-year-old has had previous spells in the top flight with Aberystwyth Town and Afan Lido, but after admitting that his time with Aber could have gone better, he’s now looking to make a name for himself this time round.
“It didn’t really go to plan when playing in this league for Aberystwyth, but I feel like I’ve come a long way since then, I’ve matured a lot and I’m now the fittest I’ve ever been.”
The Bont play their first ever game in the Cymru Premier against Barry Town United on Friday evening, with the game at the KYMCO Stadium being broadcast live on S4C.
The left-back had a season to remember in 2018/19. As well as the promotion with Penybont, he claimed a league and cup double with the University of South Wales, along with picking up the award for Best Male Sportsperson as the USW Sport Recognition Awards at Sophia Gardens in Cardiff.
Kane Owen of Penybont in action against Merthyr Town. (Lewis Mitchell/YCPD)
Owen is hoping that he can go some way towards replicating his achievements of last season.
“It was an excellent season for me, Penybont and USW.
“A repeat of that this season would be excellent for myself.
“To do it in the Cymru Premier would show how much I’ve come on as a footballer and as a person.”
Earlier this week, manager Rhys Griffiths said “Success would be staying up, but we can also have aspirations beyond that”, something which Owen agrees with.
“It’s definitely our target to stay in this league, but I know with hard work and the quality we all have we can definitely set bigger goals.
Kane Owen of Penybont in action against Cardiff City U23s. (Lewis Mitchell/YCPD)
“But yes, our main focus is to stay in the league.”
Last season saw two of the then-Welsh Premier League’s top talents sign professional contracts, with Barry’s Macauley Southam-Hales joining Joey Barton’s Fleetwood Town, and Cardiff Metropolitan striker Adam Roscrow linking up with AFC Wimbledon.
The former Cardiff City youth player has taken inspiration from this, and reveals that he has similar ambitions.
“It’s good to see that people are looking at Welsh clubs, and it’s still a dream of mine to become a professional footballer, so that is definitely a big target of mine.
“It’s excellent to see the likes of Macauley and Adam get great moves back into the pro game, it just shows how much the league has grown.
“I do think it’s my best chance (to try and impress professional clubs), playing week in week out in this tough league.
“It’s a big season for myself and for this great club in Penybont.
Kane Owen of Penybont celebrates with Kieran Howard. (Lewis Mitchell/YCPD)
The top flight is known for having some picturesque and historic grounds, whether it’s The Rock in Cefn Mawr, Jenner Park in Barry or the Hollingsworth Group Stadium in Broughton, where planes flying overhead are a regular sight.
Owen, who is known for his ability at set-pieces, found it difficult to pinpoint a specific ground that excites him most, but has no doubt about which team stands out from the rest.
“I’m looking forward to going to all the grounds to be honest.
“But playing against TNS is something I’m looking forward to, testing ourselves against arguably the best team in this league of all time.”
(Featured image: Lewis Mitchell/YCPD)
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